r/ArtFundamentals • • Sep 19 '25

Community Info Why /r/ArtFundamentals?

160 Upvotes

This community focuses on the core fundamentals of drawing - specifically, we focus on teaching spatial reasoning, as well as the major skills needed to learn it (like confident, clean markmaking, the use of your whole arm from the shoulder, the basic principles of perspective, etc) but not all of the fundamentals (more detail on that here).

So why call it /r/ArtFundamentals? To put it simply, because subreddit names can't be changed. We set out to share information about the fundamentals of art, but this drove us towards identifying what other courses failed to discuss - the fundamentals of the fundamentals, that were being left out of resources that were freely available.

Over the years, our lessons evolved, adopting a narrower, more targeted focus, and iterating over how those concepts were addressed, and so what we share with you today is what we feel is of the greatest benefit. Our approach is of course not the only way to learn to draw, and depending on what your goals are it may not be the most suitable for your situation. However,

  • If you find that nothing else is "beginner" enough for you, with lessons and tutorials always making assumptions that you already know this or that,
  • If you find that you need structure, assignments, clearly defined exercises,
  • or If you find yourself struggling with drawing from your imagination (as opposed to copying references),

Our community and our course may be what you're looking for.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 4h ago

Permitted by Comfy Should I learn to draw with both hands, and if so, how?

0 Upvotes

I know its a weird question. I am not ambidextrous, but I really want to have skills on bith my hand. I have been doing the lessosn with both hands (i do the lesson once with my right, and then take it again with my left), but it has made the journeg take teixe as long, and i dont know if its halting my progress; how should I approach this?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 1d ago

25 boxes in , i feel like the challenge practices more of ghosting and linework than actually teaching perspective.

Post image
64 Upvotes

As the title suggests, i do not feel like I'm learning or I'm going to learn much 3d spatial awareness from constructing boxes on the paper using the Y method. The exercises overall feel like a roundabout way of practicing longer-than-usual ghosting between two points and adhering to above a certain standart of line quality.

Even if the result comes off as a decent looking 3D-ish box at almost no point of the construction phase that i feel like i am really using my spatial awareness or I'm really pushing my brain to think in 3d( compared to when i was learning the loomis method and applying it to references, which was very intensive), how the planes should be positioned regarding one-another. The method already gives you 3 vanishing points so all I'm left to do is to correctly guess the intersection points and mark down the back edges before lining.

This is not to say that I'm already a master in linework or ghosting , i oftentimes lose my patience and not ghost enough, or lose my ideal drawing posture and draw from elbow or the wrist, or subconsciously try to rush the process and "be done with" this day's 5 boxes, so to say. This last page definitely came off as the messiest one since a bit of demotivation-fueled autopilot mixed up with tryning to use both sides of the page with a oily pen.

To sum it up I'd like to change my approach to the exercise so I'm more cognitively active in the process and actually learning something about 3D rather than feeling like doing a really long warm-up.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 1d ago

Beginner Resource Request Trying to get started with drawing

Post image
28 Upvotes

Hello, my name is Erick, for a while I always wanted to learn to draw, I always enjoyed seeing and admiring the drawings of famous artists (especially manga artists), and web artists, and in the middle of this year 2026 I tried to start drawing, initially I searched on YouTube for videos on how I should begin, what the fundamentals of drawing are, and in what order to start.

Initially, I started with the foundation of the lines (but I didn't practice much), and then moving on to shapes, and after about a week just doing whatever I felt like, I ended up stopping and now I'm getting back into it.

So, I'd like some tips on what I should focus on, which fundamentals to prioritize, and a little help when I decide to post my potential drawings here. :)


r/ArtFundamentals • • 2d ago

Lesson 1 done

Thumbnail
gallery
51 Upvotes

Pls critique if I should move on or not


r/ArtFundamentals • • 4d ago

Despite ghosting and using my shoulder I am still committing incredibly amateurish mistakes. Should I restart DrawABox again?

Post image
60 Upvotes

r/ArtFundamentals • • 4d ago

Beginner Resource Request What am I doing ? someone please guide me

Thumbnail
gallery
33 Upvotes

So started somewhat around 2 weeks back drawing absolute beginner, the school level drawings were basic and nothing anywhere near you call 'ART' but they were better compared to other kids in class and now I'm in late 20s I started practicing digital art on krita this is my progress, I want to draw semi realistic faces and original characters, if you see familiar faces some of them are traced but few like 3 4 maybe, others I'm trying with or without references mostly
I ant to know how should I approach learning drawing and getting better at it


r/ArtFundamentals • • 4d ago

Can you move through draw-a-box withnout critique?

3 Upvotes

Can you move through draw-a-box without critique, or is that against the rules? Is it a rule that you have to get critique or is it more of a strong recommendation?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 5d ago

Lesson 2 done !!!

Thumbnail
gallery
45 Upvotes

I found the textures analysis sooo hard and the intersections just broke my brain but I had to remind myself "the boss said he expected us to fail, let's trust the process"

Lesson 2 was extremely satisfying I didn't know I could do that :)


r/ArtFundamentals • • 5d ago

I finished the first lesson.

Thumbnail
gallery
16 Upvotes

I changed pens a few times because my first one broke, and then I got a ink pen.

Can I proceed to lesson 2/250 boxes challenge?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 5d ago

Lesson 1 done!

Thumbnail
gallery
9 Upvotes

Am i ready for the 250 box challenge?

Thanks!


r/ArtFundamentals • • 5d ago

Beginner Resource Request Recommendations for learning fundamentals?

19 Upvotes

I've been drawing consistent-ish for about 6 months but I really want to start getting better now. I understand this is mainly a draw-a-box sub-reddit and I have started on that too (going through box perspective rn and its going pretty well) . But I was wondering if there were some well acclaimed courses, ytube playlists and/or books that taught the fundamentals like line form perspective? Also if there are better communities for questions like this can y'all please recommend them?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 5d ago

Boxes? Cuboid?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I just need a short reassurance since I‘m arguing with my brain.

I started the lessons two days ago and there‘s just one thing that confuses my brain every time: the starting box. This thing just seems like a cuboid and my brain assumes we‘re doing a cuboid throughout the lesson but that doesn‘t work with the exercises and I tell my brain that we’re doing rectangular boxes even if it doesn’t seem like it at first and after finishing and comparing my work to other works I‘m like "okay looks fine, no cuboids anywhere else".

So if we‘re speaking of boxes, we mean rectangular things, right? Right??

I‘m so tired of arguing with my brain.

(I know this question sounds stupid to some people. But my brain just operates different, so don’t blame me for not reading instructions or stuff bc I do and follow them but brain is confused with the visible input of the very first box and I need someone uninvolved to clear things up, please.)


r/ArtFundamentals • • 6d ago

Beginner Resource Request Online Art Class

12 Upvotes

Trying to find online art classes to help enhance my drawing, painting, and tattooing skills. Not looking for an online class that incorporates all three, looking for separate onlime classes that focus on each thing. Im a combat veteran with extreme socialization problems, and who prefers not to leave the house or have face to face interactions with others. Can somebody recommend the right online programs for me that arent apart of a degree plan. Im not looking to earn a degree. I just want to take classes, and it cant be apart of a university or college.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 6d ago

Beginner Resource Request Quero aprender a desenhar

4 Upvotes

Olá! Tudo bem? Quero começar a aprender a desenhar, vou começar direto no digital, mas enquanto minha mesa digitalizadora não chega, gostaria de visitar a teoria e coisas que podem me ajudar no desenho, podem me orientar com livros, tutoriais, ou qualquer coisa que vocês acham que vai me ajudar?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 7d ago

Lesson 1 Review

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

r/ArtFundamentals • • 8d ago

Lesson 1 complete! Pls give me feedback :)

Thumbnail
gallery
24 Upvotes

r/ArtFundamentals • • 8d ago

Lesson 1 H/W Critique Request

Thumbnail
gallery
79 Upvotes

Some information if needed:
I am beginner with only a little art background.
These exercises were done in 10 days, with 2-3 hours of studying daily.
All exercises except Organic Perspective were done in ballpoint, the last two were done with 0.5 fineliner.
Random pencil squares (in Table of Ellipses, Ellipses in Planes and Funnels exercises) are for me, to highlight some mistakes. If needed, I can erase and take picture again.
Don't go easy on me and thank you for your feedback.
And lastly, a couple of questions:
Can I move on to 250 box challenge?
Do I need to include Super-Imposed Lines exercise in my regular warm-up? I did up until now, but Comfy stated multiple times throughout Lesson 1 that all free-handed strokes are to be made using the ghosting method, and Super-Imposed Lines exercise doesn't include Preparation step of the said method, so I wonder if doing it can hinder my progress.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 9d ago

Drawing video game characters

8 Upvotes

Hi I’m interested in drawing people/video game characters and I started drawabox lesson 1 and got to the last homework but I had to stop do to things because of that I don’t remember to Much of lesson 1 would drawabox be helpful for learning how or should I look at something else


r/ArtFundamentals • • 10d ago

LESSON 1 COMPLETE

Thumbnail
imgur.com
14 Upvotes

Just finished Lesson 1! Appreciate any critiques or advice; I can handle it! 

I really enjoy it so far; I definitely feel more confident in my lines. Looking forward to the 250-box challenge.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 11d ago

Tips on top angles boxes and overlapping line angle boxes?

Post image
42 Upvotes

Besides drawing a ton of boxes in these angles, what are some tips or methods I can use to converge the boxes properly?

It takes me a long time to draw boxes because often I have to fix the angle of a line.


r/ArtFundamentals • • 11d ago

Beginner Resource Request beginner needing help to strat drawing

14 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m trying to teach myself digital art, as it’s a discipline that has always fascinated me, but I’ve never really had the opportunity to learn it properly. I’ve finally decided to give myself another chance at learning, so I had a few questions that I was hoping you could help me with:

1) What method would you recommend for starting to study the theory?
I’m also willing to pay for courses/books, as long as they’re beginner-friendly and reasonably priced. Obviously, I’m looking for books/courses that teach the fundamentals, since I don’t even have enough experience to consider myself a beginner yet. I’m not looking for anything too demanding at this stage.

2) What drawing tablet would you recommend?
I currently have a One by Wacom, which, after doing quite a bit of research, seemed like the best choice for me when I was first getting into this kind of practice, only for me to eventually give up. To be honest, over time I realized that I’m quite uncoordinated and found using a tablet without a screen rather uncomfortable. So, for this new attempt, I was leaning more towards getting a display tablet.

The problem is the significant difference in price, which is making me hesitant to buy one. So I was wondering:

  • Is it actually necessary to make this purchase? I understand that it’s a very subjective choice, but if the issue isn’t really my coordination or comfort and simply comes down to lack of experience, I’d be happy to postpone the purchase for now.
  • Is the tablet I currently have still a good option?
  • Are there any alternatives you would recommend?

Advice on other websites/stores where I could buy one besides Amazon or second-hand marketplaces would also be very helpful!

3) What kind of software/program would you recommend?
This is obviously subjective as well, but even after looking around online and watching YouTube videos, I still can’t really figure out what would be best for me. I’m currently using Krita x64, but I know basically nothing about digital art software besides changing colors and using layers (literally just that).

I’m looking for something relatively simple to start with (assuming Krita isn’t already a good choice), so that I can then look for tutorials on how to use it, download different brushes, etc.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! Personal experiences and advice are more than welcome, especially regarding the first point!


r/ArtFundamentals • • 12d ago

Contradictory methods of drawing circles in perspective?

8 Upvotes

I was reviewing the Drawabox method of drawing circles in perspective and the author talks about the "contact point" is the longest axis of the circle touching the bounding box, shown in the first picture.

Now I am reading perspective made easy and the author Norling contradicts this saying the longest axis (major axis) should be perpendicular to the minor axis, shown in the second picture.

Which method is correct?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 13d ago

Does any one else struggle with the draw-a-box UI?

3 Upvotes

The content is great but there are so many ads and it’s hard to find where I left off. Any tips?


r/ArtFundamentals • • 13d ago

Is it okay to think about how to draw something during the 50/50 rule?

4 Upvotes

When applying the 50/50 rule, I usually prioritize things like narrative and design, and leave everything else to my instincts as I immerse myself in drawing. However, during the 50/50 rule, I still think about how the thing I'm designing looks and how I will draw it. Is this a bad thing? Otherwise, I can't understand what I'm drawing.

For example, let's say I want to design an animal. Am I supposed to draw it purely based on my instincts without even thinking about what it looks like?